INTERMISSION

​

Two screen projection, 2018​, commissioned by The New Art Gallery Walsall.

 

The work focuses on the gaze of two unknown men whose enigmatic portraits appear on nineteenth century photographic slides found by the artist. Hand tinting the images and projecting at a monumental scale, the work draws attention to the pivotal role that women played as colourists and ‘ink and paint girls’ in late nineteenth century commercial photography studios and early animated film. The dual screens and frame breaks trace early cinema, where an intermission signalled the pause in projection necessary for the practical changing over of film reels as well as a moment of awakening in the audience.

​

Download the Exhibition Guide here

​

All photographs by David Rowan.

​